Automatic tamale forming and wrapping machine



March 7, 1944. c; -r WALTER 2,343,599

AUTOMATIC TAMALE FORMING AND WRAPPING MACHINE Filed May 4, 1942 e Sheets-Sheet 1 Cfzarles Z Walter v INVENTOR I T TES T BY- M wk C ATTORN March 7, 1944. c. T. WALTER 2,343,599

AUTOMATIC TAMALE FORMING AND WRAPPING MACHINE ATTORNEY March 1944- c. T. WALTER 2,343,599

AUTOMATIC TAMALE FORMING AND WRAPPING MACHINE Filed May 4, 1942 6 Sheets$heet :s

, INVENTOR ATTORNEY C/Zdrles Iii alter March 7, 1944. c, WALTER 2,343,599

AUTOMATIC TAMALE FORMING AND WRAPPING MACHINE INVENTOR ATTE-ST' v BY 9m (2W ATTORNEY C/zarles T Walter AUTOMATIC TAMALE FORMIQIG AND WRAPPING MACHINE Filed May 4, 1942 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 (liar/es 2' Walter INVENTOR BY ma kcmm ATroRN Patented Mar. 7, 1944 AUTOMATIC TAMALE FORMING AND WRAPPING MACHINE Charles T. Walter, Chicago, 111., asslgnor to Industrial Patents Corporation, Chicago, 111., a

corporation of Delaware Application May 4, 1942, Serial No. 441,722

-12 Claims.

The present invention relates to improvements in automatic machines for converting foodstuffs in mass form into condition for packaging. More particularly, the present invention relates to a fully automatic machine for shaping, wrapping, cutting and delivering foodstuffs to provide a product such as tamales ready for packing and consumption.

Among the objects of the present invention is to provide a novel automatic machine for handling foodstuii's such as tamale material, and which shapes, wraps, cuts and discharges such material in such condition that the same may be readily packed in containers for further processing.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel automatic machine of the character above described which is of simplified construction, readily fabricated at relatively low cost, and which is adapted for production of the food articles comprehended at a greatly increased rate of speed as compared to prior practices in the art.

The present invention has been founded upon a desire to automatically produce a finished article of food, such as a tamale, of uniform diameter throughout, with a proper amount of the individual ingredients or food mass from which the same is formed, and all of which are of predetermined uniform length so that the resulting product is consistently uniform from one batch to the other.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide an automatic machine for preparing foodstuffs of the character identified, the same including novel means for feeding a uniform and constant amount of material of proper and uniform size to the machine and into the environment of wrapping mechanism which encloses and protect the said discharged material.

More particularly, the present invention comprehends a novel feeding mechanism which feeds material at a uniform rate of flow to the machine and which is independent of the amount of material in the material hopper. In accordance with the present invention, means for producin this novel result may include a positive meter type feeding mechanism whichassures delivery of material at a uniform rate of flow and of the proper size and shape, independently of the amount of material in the hopper for the machine. As an illustration of a positive meter type feeding mechanism, a gear pump may be used in conjunction with the material source which is operated at a predetermined speed for delivering predetermined uniform amounts to the machine.

Another object within the purview of the present invention is to provide novel mechanism characterized as a positive meter type feeding mechanism for delivering food materials of varying characteristics such as would be provided in the manufacture of tamales, and which materials are delivered to the machine in concentric relation to one another in constant and uniform predetermined amounts to assure uniformity in the resulting product.

A further object of the present invention is to provide novel conveyor mechanism adapted to receive wrapped material for delivering it to a point where the same is automatically severed at predetermined intervals to provide wrapped food material of predetermined lengths. More particularly, the novel feature embodied in such conveyor mechanism takes the form of conveyor elements which grip the material for movement thereof into cutting relation with the cutting mechanism, and which conveyor construction facilitates the rapid cutting of the wrapped material into proper lengths at greatly increased speeds as compared to prior developments in the art.

As a still further object, the present, invention contemplates a novel cutting mechanism for severing the wrapped food material into desired lengths, and which cutting mechanism is characterized as involving one or more cutting elements adapted to sever the wrapped food material during its continuous movement on the conveyor, thus greatly increasing the output of the machine.

In one embodiment selected to illustrate the invention, the said cutting means may take the form of one or more rotatable cutting elements or knives mounted for reciprocal movement in respect to the continuously conveyed wrapped food material and which, during its cutting operation with respect to said food material, travels linearly at substantially the speed of travel of said food material. Compound reciprocal and lineal movement of the cutting element or elements is effected by novel mechanisms including cam controlled supporting means for said element or elements which is of relatively simple construction, yet positive in its action to assure continued operation of the machine under all conditions, thus making certain of reduction in operating costs which might otherwise be experienced by breakdown of the machine.

As a further object of the present invention,

novel discharge means is contemplated comprising an arrangement of movable mechanism for discharging the cut lengths of wrapped food material into a position to facilitate introduction of the same into a container such as a can or the like. More particularly, such novel discharge conveyor mechanism embodies a recess or receptacle adapted to receive a given number of cut lengths of drapped food material, which may then be readily introduced into the container. As another feature of the invention, such novel construction may include means disposed adjacent the recess for supporting the receptacle and for guiding the predetermined number of lengths of wrapped food material into the container.

Other objects, features, capabilities and advantages are comprehended by the invention, as

will later appear and as are inherently possessed thereby.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan of a machine embodying the novel features of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the machine of Figure 1 of the drawings;

Figure 3 is an end elevation of the machine shown in Figure 1 of the drawings;

Figure 4 is a plan view of main driving mechanism taken on line l4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a detail top plan of the wrapping mechanism for the machine shown in Figure 1 of the drawings;

Figure 6 is a detail side elevation partly in section of the wrapping mechanism shown in Figure 5 of the drawings;

Figure 7 is a detail end view of the wrapping mechanism of Figures 5 and 6;

Figure 8 is a transverse section of the conveyor mechanism taken on lines 8--8 of Figure 2 of the drawings;

Figure 9 is an elarged fragmentary detail side elevation partly in section of the cutting mechanism;

Figure 10 is an end elevation of the cutting mechanism shown in Figure 9 of the drawings;

Figure 11 is a. detail plan view of the discharge conveyor mechanism;

Figure 12 is a side elevation of the discharge conveyor mechanism shown in Figure 11 of the drawings;

Figure 13 is an end view of the discharge conveyor mechanism shown in Figures 11 and 12 of the drawings;

Figure 14 is a view in section of the discharge assembling conveyor taken on line l4-l4 of Figure 11.

Figure 15 is a cross section of the food product automatically formed and delivered ready for packaging by a machine made in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 16 is a detail side elevation of a modified cutter mechanism with the supporting frame partly broken away; and

Figure 17 is a view taken on line ll-l'l of Figure 16.

Referring now more in detail to the drawings, an embodiment selected to illustrate the invention has a material feeding mechanism 2 and a product wrapping mechanism 4 associated therewith adapted to continuously form and deliver a wrapped food material to a conveyor 8. The conveyor has a continuous movement to carry the wrapped food material to a position where the same is cut into predetermined lengths by a cutting mechanism 8, then the cut lengths of wrapped food material are moved onto a discharge conveyor II from which the same is delivered to a collecting conveyor and table II from where it is removed and placed in containers, such as tin cans, for further processing. The mechanisms hereinabove noted generally are supported upon suitable framework, generally referred to as II, the details of which will not be described except where necessary to clearly disclose associated mechanism, but which framework includes reduction gear housings l4 and IE (to be described in detail hereinafter) about which the machine has been built and which provides a rigid and firm unit.

The machine herein described incorporates structure making it particularly suitable for making tamales, but it is'to be clearly understood that th invention is not limited to the making of such food articles, but comprehends structure adapted to make other food products of similar nature. A cross section of a tamale as made in this machine is shown in Figure 15 of the drawings, and it has a core l8 of ground meat surrounded by a shell of meal 20 and both of which are enclosed by a paper wrapper or the like 22. The wrapper has its marginal edges in overlapping relation as at 24 to hold the center masses together and to facilitate handling, packing and preparation of the same for consumption.

Since the article involves the concentric arrangement of food materials of varying characteristics, the present machine incorporates in its structure the horizontally disposed hoppers 18 and 28 each of which is of a somewhat conventional form. The hoppers 26 and 28 have open, ings 30 and 32 respectively for receiving the food material being introduced into the same and each hopper is provided with a screw conveyor adapted to convey material toward the exit point, all

as is well known in the art. The ground meat forming the core l8 of the tamale is supplied from the hopper 28 from which the meat feeds through a discharge tube 34. Meal for forming shell 20 is introduced into the hopper and is discharged through a discharge tube 36 formed around or embracing the tube 34 to be concentric in respect thereto so that both meat and meal may be extruded from the discharge means in concentric relation to produce the article disclosed in Figure 15 of the drawings.

The present machine embodies a novel means for delivering fixed amounts of both meat and meal from the hoppers 26 and 28, respectively, and at a uniform and constant speed, such means including gear pumps generally referred to as 38 and 40 for the meal and meat supply, respectively. These gear pumps constitute a positive meter type feeding mechanism located between the outlet from the hoppers 26 and 28 and the discharge tubes 36 and 34.

The gear pumps may be driven from any suitable power source and as here shown a motor 42 adiustably mounted upon the base 44 drives a variable speed pulley 48. This variable speed pulley, through the medium of a belt 50, drives another pulley 52 mounted on a shaft 54 which is suitably mounted in-bearings on the frame structure I! which shaft is disposed substantially centrally and longitudinally of the machine. Shaft 54 also has mounted thereon, the spaced pulleys 5B and 58, the former, drivingpulley 62 through the belts 60, and the latter, driving pulley 66 through the medium of the belts 6|. Pulleys 62 and 66 are each mounted to drive reduction gears enclosed in housings l4 and it respectively.

Output from the reduction gears enclosed within housing I4 is through-sprocket wheel 68 (Figure 3) which, through the medium of sprocket chain 10, drives the sprocket wheel 12 mounted upon shaft 14 journaled as at 16 and 18. The shaft 14 drives the screw conveyor disposed within the hopper 26. Keyed to the shaft 14 and in spaced relation to the sprocket wheel 12 is the sprocket wheel 80 which, through the chain 82, drives sprocket wheel-84 mounted upon shaft 86 supported-in suitable bearings not shown. Shaft 86 drives the gear pump 38 for positively delivering predatermined quantities of the meal mixture to the tubular discharge 36 for thehopper 26.

The output for the reduction gears enclosed within the housing I6 is through the sprocket wheel 88 best shown in Figure 3 which drives the chain 90 that in turn drives the sprocket wheel 82 mounted upon the shaft 94 journaled in the frame bearings 96 and98. Shaft 94 provides a direct drive for the screw conveyor disposed within .the hopper 28 and fixed upon the shaft 94, in

spaced relation to the sprocket wheel 92 is another sprocket wheel. I having chain I02 cooperating therewith to drive the sprocket mounted upon the shaft I06 journaled in suitable bearings supported by the main frame structure. Shaft I06 drives the gear pump 40 which is designed to positively deliver meat from hopper 28 at the proper-rate through the discharge tube 34.

From the description given so far, it is apparent that the machine is operative to cause the center core of meat to be extruded simultaneously with the shell of meal. The pumps 38 and 40 measure the quantities as they are extruded and a finished product is continuously delivered from feeding means 2.

As the tubular food product is discharged from thefeeding means, a wrapping 22 of paper or the like is placed around the completed product. This wrapping 22 is delivered in the form of a web I08, Figure 6, fed from a roll 0 suitably mounted upon the frame structure and which feeds the Web over roll II4 into the environment of the wrapping and folding horn II2. Roll H4 is mounted upon the adjustablepivots H6 and H8 supported in the frame members I and I22, respectively and guide elements I24 and I26 are provided for guiding the web I08 into association with the wrapping and folding horn II 2. The wrapping and folding horn H2 is mounted in superimposed relation in respect to the outer discharge tube 36 through the medium of the bracket I28 and which wrapping is provided with a suitable compound curved surface which gradually folds the web I08 as the same leaves the guide roll II4 to completely envelop the discharge tube 36 and subsequently the food product being extruded through the tubes 34 and 36.

The wrapped food product upon leaving the discharge tube 36, is received between the upper and lower conveyor means I30 and I32, Figures 2, 3 and 8. The lower conveyor unit I32 is powerdriven, as will be later more fully described, and the upper conveyor unit I30 may be driven from the lower conveyor unit I32. Each of these conveyor units is of similar construction and a detailed description of the lower conveyor unit is deemed suflicient to clearly disclose the nature thereof.

The lower conveyor unit I32 comprises a shaft I36 suitably journaled in the frame structure upon which are mounted the spaced driving sprockets I38 and I40 which drive the two flexible chains I42 and I44, respectively. These chains I42 and I44 extend longitudinally of the machine and pass over the idler pulleys I48 and I48, respectively. mounted upon the shaft I50 suitably journaled in the frame structure. Connected to the said flexible chain elements I42 and I44 are a plurality of flights or conveyor elements I62 disposed transversely of the flexible elements I42 and I44 and in spaced relation to one another. Each of the conveyor elements I52 laterally overhangs the flexible conveyor element I42 at one side and has its cantilevered end formed with a depression or recess I54 so shaped that when it is disposed in substantially longitudinal alignment with the discharge tube 36 it will receive the tubular wrapped food product being extruded from the discharge elements 34 and 36.

As is best shown in Figure 8 of the drawings, the upper conveyor unit I30 is of similar construction, having its flights or conveyor elements I50 formed with' recesses or depressions I54 which are complementary to the recesses or depressions I54 of the flight element I52 of the lower unit I32, the opposed elements I50 and I 52 substantially embracing the wrapped food material between their curved ends I54 to move the same longitudinally of the machine toward the cutter mechanism 8. l

The lower conveyor unit I32 is driven from the central shaft 54 through a driving connection comprising a pulley I56 which, through the belt I58, drives the pulley I60 of a worm speed reducer I62, the output from the speed reducer I62 being by way of pulley I 64 which drives a chain I66 passing around and driving sprocket I68 mounted upon a shaft I10 suitably journaled in the frame structure as at I12 and I14. This shaft has fixed thereto a sprocket wheel I16 which, through the medium of a sprocket chain I18, drives a sprocket I80, the said sprocket wheel I being mounted upon the shaft I36. As above stated, the sprockets I38 fixed to shaft I36 drive the chains forming conveyor unit I32.

The upper .conveyor unit is supported on sprockets I 3| fixed to shaft I33 at one end and is I supported at its opposite end on idler sprockets I35 rotatable on shaft I31. Shaft I33 is driven from gear I38 keyed to shaft I36 by the intermeshing gear I keyed to shaft I33.

As the wrapped food material is conveyed longitudinally of the machine toward the discharge end of the conveyor 6, the same in severed by the cutting mechanism 8 which is mounted for reciprocation longitudinally with the conveyor as well as being operative to move into and out of cutting relation with the wrapped food material. The movement of the cutting mechanism is synchronized with the continuous movement of the conveyor so that the said cutting mechanism travels linearly with the conveyor and reciprocates into the food product to cut it into predetermined lengths.

For convenience in operation and construction, the cutting mechanism 8, see Figure 9, is formed with two cutting blades I82 and I84 of similar construction, mounted in spaced relation and fixedly secured upon shaft I86 rotatably supported in the tubular head I88 of an arm or bracket I90. A driving pulley I98 is fixedly mounted on the shaft I86 to rotate the cutting means and the cutting elements I82 and I84 are driven from a motor 202 suitably positioned on the frame I2, the motor driving through the pulley 204, belt 206, which in turn drives a pulley 208 rotatably mounted upon a shaft 2| 4 suitably Journaled for longitudinal sliding and rotative movement in bearings such as 2|! and H8 provided on the frame l2. The pulley 208 has another pulley 220 formed integral therewith which drives belt 222 running over the pulley I98 for rotating the knife or cutting elements I82 and I84. The motor 202 is of relatively high speed and operates the knives or cutting elements I82 and I84 at a relatively high rate of speed to assure proper cutting of the wrapped food material.

The integrally formed pulleys 208 and 220 are disposed between the locking collar 224 and the hub 225 to which th arm I80 is secured, the said collar 224 and hub 228 being pinned to the shaft 2. Shaft 2 is provided with a noncircular end 228 slidably fitting within a bearing 230 mounted in the bearing 2I8. Slide 'bearlng 280 is fixed in relation to the bearing 2I8 by means of a radial flange 232 at one end and a lock nut or block 234 adjacent its other end.

It will therefore be apparent from the above description that the shaft 2I4 is Journaled for oscillating movement as well as sliding movement in the direction of the axis of said shaft whereby the arm I90 is carried longitudinally along beside the machine and is oscillated toward and away from the machine. The cutting elements I82 and I84 carried at the end of arm I90 are oscillated thus angularly in planes normal to the longitudinal axis of the shaft 2I4 and because of the sliding movement of said shaft the said cutting elements may have lineal movement longitudinally of the axis of said shaft.

The invention comprehends novel mechanism for moving the shaft longitudinally of its axis in journal bearings 2I8 and 2|8, while oscillating said shaft angularly in planes normal to said axis. One such mechanism is shown in Figure 9 and a modification of this structure is shown in Figure 16.

In the mechanism shown in Figure 9 the oscillatory movement of the shaft 2I4 is accomplished through the medium of a lever arm 236 secured to the radial flange 232 of sleeve bearing 230, the arm being provided adjacent its lower end with a cam roller 238 operating within a peripheral cam groove 240 of a cam 242 fixed upon the shaft I10. Sliding movement is imparted to the shaft 2I4 through a. collar 244 mounted at the end of the shaft and having operative engagement with the inwardly projecting lugs 248, Figure 10, of a yoke 248. This yoke has its hub 250 mounted upon the shaft 252 that is rotatably carried in bearings 254 and 258 mounted upon the frame. Intermediate shaft 252 and lugs 246, the yoke has a cam follower 258 engaging in a cam groove 280 formed in the side face of the cam 282.

Power to accomplish the above described operation of the cutting mechanism to produce the oscillatory and lineal movement through the cam mechanism is derived from shaft I10 which receives its power from the worm speed reducer I62. pulley I84. belt I66 and pulley I88. The cam mechanism is so constructed that during operation of the machine, the cutting elements I82 and I84 are moved into cutting relation to the wrapped food material while the product continuously moves forward. and during the cutting operation the cutting elements are moved forwardly with the product at thespeed of the material being conveyed in order to assure a the cut wrapped food material is effected while continuing the forward lineal movement of the cutter head at the same rate of speed as the the material moving over the conveyors. After the cutter is removed from the product it is quickly moved back into its initial position for repetition of this cutting cycle performed upon the wrapped food material at predetermined intervals to secure any selected length for the finished product. The provision for the two spaced cutting elements is to make for efficiency in operation so that the cutter head moves the cutting elements into cutting relation to the wrapped food material only half as often as would otherwise be required if only one cutting element were provided, thus wear and tear on the machine is decreased, and accordingly the life of the machine is prolonged and fewer repairs and replacement of parts are required.

In the modified cutter mechanism shown in Figure 16, the cutter wheels I82 and I84 are mounted at the upper end of the arm I for movement into the product just as they do in the cutter device shown in Figure 9. The arm I90 in the modified structure is carried upon a hub 320 slidably mounted on shaft 322. The shaft 322 is fixedly supported in suitable bearings carried by the frame and the hub 320 is re ciprocated lengthwise along shaft 322 by the cam actuated arm 248 which cooperates with the cam 282 in the manner described in connection with the cutter mechanism of Figure 9. The arm 248 is connected to hub 320 by link 324 having a. ball and socket connection with a lug 326 integral with the hub. Thus as arm 248 is'oscillated about the axis of shaft 252, the cutters mounted on arm I90 fixed to hub 320 are reciprocated longitudinally lengthwise beside the conveyor 6.

To effect the inward and outward movement of the cutters, the hub 320 is provided with a downwardly extending arm 328 integrally secured thereto. The arm 328 is adjustably connected to a drag link 330 as shownin Figure 1'] and the drag link is operativeiy connected with the bar 332 fixedly supported in the yoke 334. The yoke arms 334 are rotatably mounted at one end about the axis of shaft 322 upon which the hub 320 is rotatably mounted. One side of the yoke 334 is provided with an extension to cooperate with cam follower 238 which is engaged in the groove 240 out in the cam 242 described above in connection with Figure 9. The bar 332 is provided with a squared surface (Figure 17) and the drag link 330 is connected to the bar 332 so that it mayslide longitudinally along the bar 332 as the hub 320 is driven lengthwise oi the machine but yet the link is adapted to receive motion from the bar to rock the hub 320 about shaft 322.

The driving pulley 208 is integral with the hub 320 and may be driven from the motor 202 as shown in Figure 9. In this modified structure. it will be apparent that the shaft about whi h the hub 320 rotates remains stationary and a minimum number of parts are reciprocated. This lightening of the structure minimizes wear on the bearings and the further modification t: provide the yoke 334 and drag link 330 for driving the cutter into the food product gives a more rigid and serviceable structure.

The exact control of the knife mechanism s quite important in order that the knives may be driven into the food product and just through it to completely sever the individual lengths without hitting any of the conveyor structure. A uniform cycle of movement must be maintained to produce an attractive product and the present structure accomplishes the desired results in the most expeditious manner.

As the cut lengths of wrapped food material are discharged from the outlet end of the conveyor formed of units I30 and I32, the same are received by the discharge mechanism generally designated I0, see Figure 12. This discharge mechanism includes an upwardly inclined conveyor 264 passing about the pulleys 266 and 268 mounted upon shafts 210 and 212, respectively, which are suitably mounted in the frame extension 214. The discharge conveyor derives its power from the motor 216 that drives pulley 218 and belt 280, the belt driving the pulley 282 mounted upon shaft 212. The cut lengths of wrapped food material have their axes disposed substantially longitudinal of the direction of movement of the conveyor 264 at the time of discharge onto the same.

Conveyor 6 is operated to move at a speed exactly the same as the linear speed of the extruded product flowing from the feeding means to support the product while it is cut into separate lengths. Conveyor I has a faster linear speed than conveyor 6 to space the separated lengths delivered from conveyor'6 so that they will fall onto collecting means I I in closely spaced relation.

Upon leaving the discharge conveyor the cut product is discharged onto the guide 284 which delivers it onto a conveyor 286. This conveyor is disposed at substantially right angles with respect to the discharge conveyor 264 and passes around the sprockets 288 and 290 suitably mounted upon shafts 292 and 294, respectively, the shafts being journaled in the frame extension 214. Conveyor 286 is driven from a sprocket wheel 286 mounted upon shaft I36 of the conveyor 6, the wheel driving the chain 208 that in turn drives sprocket,

wheel 300 .of a reduction gear unit 302. The output from the gear train in box 302 drives a pulley 304 and chain 306 which drives pulley 308 mounted on one end of the shaft 292.

The cut lengths of wrapped food material are tlon is accomplished by placing guide 284 over conveyor 286 at an angle, with the end which contacts the rear ends of the length of the product moved forwardly an appropriate distance to cause the rear ends to catch up with the forward ends of the severed lengths of the product.

The products flow from conveyor 288 onto a collecting platform 3I0 which is provided with a recess or depression 3I2 into which a given number of the severed lengths may be swept. The depression is formed with an open end 3I4 and has a funnel like guide means 3 I 6 attached thereto which projects outwardly as an annular laterally disposed flange over which a can or other receptacle 3I8 may be fitted. Such structure facilitates the movement of the 'cut lengths of wrapped material into the can or other receptacle 3I8, and the wrapped food material may be quickly and easily placed within such containers directed onto the conveyor 286 by guide 288 whereby the lengths of wrapped food products are positioned with their axes disposed transversely of the direction of movement of the conveyor 286. As above stated, conveyor 264 is upwardly inclined and moves the lengths of the product at a speed to project them outwardly onto the conveyor 286. Due to the upward inclination, the product will fall onto conveyor 286 which is disposed somewhat below the end of conveyor 264, in a relatively flat position so that all parts tend to land at about the same time. As the product is falling vertically, it contacts guide 284 disposed at about a 45 angle and the vertical falling motion is converted into a horizontal direction.

Also, the guide 284 is disposed in a manner to lay the individual lengths of the product on the conveyor 286 at approximately right angles to its direction of movement. Although the machine has been designed to lay the product on conveyor 286 with all parts landing at the same time, it has been foundthat the forward ends of the pieces projected outwardly by conveyor 264 tend to meet the conveyor 286 first and are thus pulled forward before the rear ends hit. The guide 284,

. however, catches the rear ends as they drop and by an operator stationed at the platform 3| 0. The operator may insert a suitably shaped paddle into the depression 3I2 through the opening 3l4 to move the cut lengths of wrapped food material transversely of platform 3I0 and into a container 3I8 mounted upon the guide flange 3I6.

The structure described above operates to continuously form a tamale product by extruding a core of meat and a shell of meal therearound from the feeding means 4. The product is continuously wrapped immediately after it is extruded with the paper web 22 having the overlapped ends as shown in Figure 15.

As the continuous stick or wrapped product flows from the feeding means it is engaged by the flights I50 and I52 of the conveyor 6 and the conveyor moves forwardly at a speed equal to the linear speed of the product issuing from the feeding means. Thus the continuous stick of the tamale product is supported in its forward movement by the conveyor 6. It is during this forward movement on conveyor 6 that the cutting means 8 carries the knives I82 and I84 into the product to sever it into predetermined lengths ready for packing into a suitable container.

The movement of the cutting blades I82 and I84 inwardly into cutting relation with the product, is synchronized with the conveyor movement to position the knives between the individual conveyor flights I50 and I52 whereby the knives may be passed completely therethrough. The knives are mounted to move continuously longitudinally along with the conveyor as they perform their cutting action so that the product is severed while it moves continuously toward the discharge end of the machine. After cutting the extruded and wrapped stick, the knives are withdrawn from the product and the cutting mechanism is reciprocated rearwardly to be in a position to begin another cutting cycle.

The severed product is delivered from the end of conveyor 6 onto the conveyor I0 having the belt 264. As above stated, this conveyor means is driven at a higher linear speed than the speed of conveyor 6 to effect a spacing of the separated lengths an appreciable distance apart whereby they may be dropped onto the conveyor 286 in proper relation. The conveyor 286 delivers the cut lengths of the product onto a collecting table 3I0 from where they may be pushed by the operator into a suitable container 3I8 positioned over thefunnel shaped guide 3I6.

While I have herein described and upon the drawings shown illustrative embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto but may comprehend other constructions, arrangements of parts, details and features without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. In a machine for making tamales and the like, means for continuously forming the food material into a rod, conveying means to receive the continuously formed rod, severing means cooper ating with said conveyor to cut the rod into products of predetermined lengths, said conveyor operating at a lineal speed equal to the lineal speed of the formation of the rod, a second conveyor to receive said out products with the longitudinal axis of the product disposed parallel to the direction of movement of the conveyor, said second conveyor being driven more rapidly than said first conveyor to effect a spacing of the cut products, a third conveyor disposed in angular relation with respect to said second conveyor to carry the cut products to a collecting table.

2. In a machine for making tamales and the like, the combination of a conveyor adapted to receive lengths of wrapped food material having their longitudinal axes disposed generally in the direction of movement of said conveyor, a second conveyor disposed angularly with respect to said first-named conveyor for receiving said wrapped food material with their longitudinal axes disposed transversely of said second conveyor, and a receiving platform at the end of said second conveyor, said platform having a depression of predetermined size for receiving a predetermined number of said lengths of wrapped food material, said depression having a laterally disposed opening to facilitate manual removal of said lengths of wrapped food material and delivery to a container.

3. In a machine for making tamales and the like, the combination of a conveyor adapted to receive lengths of wrapped food material having their longitudinal axes disposed generally in the direction of movement of said'conveyor, a second conveyor disposed angularly with respect to said first-named conveyor for receiving said wrapped food material with their longitudinal axes disposed transversely of said second conveyor, a receiving platform at the end of said second conveyor, said platform having a depression of predetermined size for receiving a predetermined number of said lengths of wrapped food material, said depression having a laterally disposed opening to facilitate manual removal of said lengths of wrapped food material and delivery to a container, and laterally disposed guide means at said opening adapted to support said container during a filling operation.

4. In a machine for making tamales and the like, the combination of a conveyor adapted to receive lengths of wrapped food material having their longitudinal axes disposed generally in the direction of movement of said conveyor, a second conveyor disposed angularly with respect to said first-named conveyor for receiving said wrapped food material with their longitudinal axes dispused transversely of said second conveyor, means at the junction of said conveyors for guiding said lengths of wrapped food material from said firstnamed conveyor to said second-named conveyor, and a receiving platform at the end of said second conveyor, said platform having a depression of predetermined size for receiving a predetermined number of said lengths of wrapped food material, said depression having a laterally disposed opening to facilitate manual removal of said lengths of wrapped food material and delivery to a container.

5. A machine for producing and conditioning for packaging a tamale product and the like comprising means for continuously extruding and wrapping the product into a rod-like form, means to continuously receive and convey said rod-like form longitudinally forward, means to sever the rod-like form into pieces of selected length, spacing means to separate the severed lengths, and receiving means to group selected numbers of said lengths for packaging.

6. A machine for producing and conditioning for packaging a tamale product and the like comprising means for continuously extruding and wrapping the product into rod-like form, means to continuously receive and convey said rod-like form longitudinally forward, means to sever the rod-like form while supported on said receiving means, said rod-like form being severed into pieces of selected length, a second means to receive said severed pieces to continue to convey said pieces longitudinally forward and to space them one from another, and receiving means to group selected numbers of said lengths for pack- 821 8- 'I. A machine for producing and conditioning for packaging a tamale product and the like comprising means for continuously extruding and wrapping the product into rod-like form, driven means to continuously receive and convey said rod-like form longitudinally forward, said driven means moving forwardly with the same velocity as the product is extruded, means to sever the rod-like form into pieces of selected length, driven spacing means to separate the severed lengths one from another, said spacing means being positioned to convey the severed pieces longitudinally away from said first named driven means more rapidly than said material is extruded, and receiving means to group selected numbers of the length for packaging.

8. A machine for producing and conditioning for packaging a tamale product and the like comprising means for continuously extruding and wrapping the product into rod-like form, said extruding means including a gear pump to positively extrude a measured quantity of the product, means to continuously receive and convey said rod-like form longitudinally forward, driven means to sever the rod-like form into pieces of selected length, the driving means for said severing means and said gear pump being positively intergeared whereby the extruded rod-like form is cut into predetermined lengths of measured quantity, spacing means to separate the severed lengths, and receiving means to group selected numbers of the lengths for packaging.

9. A machine for producing and conditioning for packaging a tamale product and the like comprising means for continuously extruding and wrapping the product into rod-like form, means to continuously receive and convey said rod-like form longitudinally forward, means to sever the rod-like form into pieces of selected length, driven spacing means to receive the severed pieces to convey them forwardly in a direction parallel to their longitudinal axis and from which the pieces are projected longitudinally into space, a conveyor means disposed at right angles with respect to said driven spacing means to receive the spaced pieces being delivered from said spacing means as they fall through space after leaving the end of said spacing means, an angularly disposed plate positioned between said spacing means and said conveying means to catch the projected pieces to guide them onto said conveying means,

and a receiving table cooperating with said conveying means, said receiving table having means associated therewith whereby selected numbers of the lengths of said pieces may be grouped for packaging.

10. In a machine for making tamales and the like, the combination of a conveyor adapted to receive lengths of wrapped food material having their longitudinal axes disposed generally in the direction of movement of said conveyor, a second conveyor disposed angularly with respect to said first named conveyor for receiving said wrapped food material with the longitudinal axes of the lengths being disposed generally transversely of the second conveyor, said lengths being transferred from said first conveyor to said second conv veyor by being projected into space to fall upon said second conveyor, guiding means disposed at the junction of said conveyors for guiding said lengths of wrapped food material onto said second conveyor, said guiding means taking the form of a substantially flat plate having its face disposed in a plane angularly related to the second conveyor such that the rearmost end of the falling piece is engaged by said face to be urged forwardly as it falls onto the second conveyor so that the piece will be disposed on said second conveyor at substantially right angles thereto, anda receiving platform at the end of the second conveyor, said platform having a depression of predetermined size for receiving a predetermined number of said lengths of wrapped food material, said depression having a laterally disposed opening to facilitate manual removal of said lengths of food material and delivery to a container.

11. In a machine for making tamales and the like, means for continuously forming the food material into a rod, conveying means to receive the continuously formed rod, severing means ccoperating with said conveyor to cut the rod into products of predetermined lengths, said conveyor operating at a lineal speed equal to the lineal speed of the formation of the rod, a second conveyor to receive said cut'products with the longitudinal axis of the product disposed parallel to the direction of movement of the conveyor, said second conveyor being driven more rapidly than said first conveyor to effect a spacing of the cut products, a third conveyor disposed in angular relation with respect to said second conveyor to carry the cut products to a collecting table, said machine including means for driving said third conveyor at a speed sufficiently great to move the cut pieces carried thereon away from the point of transfer of the cut pieces from the second conveyor to the third conveyor before the following cut' pieces are delivered over to the third conveyor.

12. In a machine for making tamales and the like, the combination of a conveyor adapted to receive lengths of wrapped food material having their. longitudinal axes disposed generally in th direction of movement of said conveyor, a second conveyor disposed angularly with respect to said first named conveyor for receiving said wrapped food material with the longitudinal axes of the lengths being disposed generally transversely of the second conveyor, said lengths being transferred from said first conveyor to said second conveyor by being projected into space to fall upon said second conveyor, guiding means disposed at the junction of said conveyors for guiding said lengths of wrapped food material onto said second conveyor, said guiding means taking the form of a substantially flat plate having its face disposed in a plane angularly related to the second conveyor such that the rearmost end of the falling piece is engaged by said face to be urged forwardly as it falls onto the second con veyor so that the piece will be disposed on said second conveyor at substantially right angles thereto, and a receiving and collecting means disposed at the end of said second conveyor to receive and collect a predetermined number of the lengths of said wrapped food material for presentation to a container.

CHARLES T. WALTER. 

